Friday, October 4, 2013

What I Like and Hate about Being a Sun Cellular Postpaid Subscriber...

It's probably crazy for me to say this, especially when my last bill amounted to 1,600 php... something far from my anticipated 900 php (650 php originating from my original plan), but I do like Sun Cellular's Postpaid.

Anyway, let's get to the list of my pros and cons on being a Sun Postpaid subscriber based on my first hand experience.


1. Cheap. Getting a plan at 350 php where you have unlimited Sun to Sun calls and texts to other Sun users is simply advantageous to us. Most of us have sun lines so it figures that owning a Sun prepaid or postpaid line is too practical to miss out on.

Just imagine how much you can save when you can call your loved ones with their Sun-to-Sun Unlimited Calls.
2. Detailed Billing Statement. What's nice about Sun's billing statement is it's exact to the point, particularly on call minutes, the numbers you've called and the time you did it. Text, One Time Charges and Give-a-Loads are also included among your sun billing statement. I haven't experienced dealing with hidden charges with Sun before.

This is just part of a typical Sun Cellular billing statement. I like that every single call is logged, as well as, the number of text messages you've sent to the different networks.
I've been a Smart prepaid user ever since I've had my second phone (prior to this I was using Globe services). Prepaid was a lot safer. Then I decided to try Globe Postpaid (back then their cheapest plan included a Nokia 3315 at 800 pesos), after one of my bill ballooned to a whopping 2,500 php (without a trace of its details), I decided to keep daily logs of the number of text messages and calls I made. I listed them all.... 

Then I get another bill that surpassed my tracked usage (I was sure my bill wouldn't reach 1,000 php, but I still paid 2,800 pesos for it). It was crazy. I decided to terminate my plan because they themselves weren't able to give my any detailed explanations either.

3.  Sun Cellular's Loyalty Perks. One of the things I hate about renewing a contract is having to visit Sun Shops over and over again because they don't have the unit you want. Fortunately, if you belong in Sun's Loyalty, customers get to have their new Sun Cellular phone delivered at their doorstep.

It says warehouse inspected. So far, all units have been functioning well.
Note: We just had a couple of Nokia Asha 501's delivered to our house after calling their Loyalty line 1822. What I didn't like was that all their cases were in black... which I guess isn't a big deal.

4. Less Paperwork for Newbies.Most of my work is online. I don't have sufficient documents to prove how much I earn. Of course, I was confident I could pay 350 php/month. So what I did was take advantage of their Postpaid Line with Sim Only. After 8 months (out of 6, which was because I waited for a better phone), I got into Sun's Loyalty program and upgraded my plan to Sun Cellular's Regular Postpaid Plan 450. Now, I'm the proud owner of a robust MyPhone A919.

5. Customized Mobile Number. This is what sets Sun among the rest. I love that customers can select their own number. 

Disadvantages of Owning a Sun Postpaid Line

1. Some of their Agents are Unaware of the Sun Promos. Back when Sun had their Sun Group Plan 999 High and Low Deal, one of the shop agents insisted they didn't have it. We had to convince him to check the website. After confirming it existed, he asked us what unit we wanted. After telling him our preferences, he took out his log book saying the unit wasn't available, which brings me to my next issue.

Note: This goes for their customer agents. One of them, named Tony, told me there was no such thing as a High and Low Deal. After arguing with him that there was was, he finally looked it up and retracted his statement.

2. Unit Availability. I don't know why they always lack Nokia and Samsung units. They already know that most of their customers will always prefer these brands, yet months have passed and they still don't have it. So it doesn't matter if you put your name on the log book. There's a fat chance that you'll still end up with the unit they say they have available at the moment.

3. Getting a Hold of a Customer Service Representative can Take TOO LONG. Calling the Sun Hotline can be a chore. Sometimes, I could hear that annoying song in my head over and over again.  I guess this is because they have a lot of customers (which means that they have to increase their overhead).

4. Area of Coverage. Although Sun Cellular has gone a long way in terms of network coverage, there are still areas in the province where they have limited to zero signal.

Note: We've not yet experienced having a defective phone so I haven't had to deal with the trauma of returning one to them. Hopefully, all our units remain healthy and robust as they are now.

We have a single problem with the Nokia Asha 501. Sometimes, the person at the other line could not hear us when we call her and vice versa. It has happened 3 times already (within a span of 1 month).

Good or bad experiences are welcomed in this post. Please feel free to express your love or hate with your Sun Cellular Postpaid Subscription.

15 comments:

  1. my wife subscribed a postpaid plan in this branch, they said within 24hrs it ill be activated. however, its more than two days now still not working. i called their customer service hotline for 4th times and they gave me same feedback saying SUN SHOP ERMITA is not answering their reports and complains. Its too frustrating that both SUN Hotline and the Shop are not communicating and to think they are in TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE to resolve clients issues. ( two thumbs down)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow. That does sound awful. I once had a slight misunderstanding with them once. I ended up paying the bill anyway. And the customer service... it takes like thirty minutes... sometimes even longer!!!

      Delete
  2. Ever asked yourself how to get free load in the Philippines? When I learned of Popslide, I was so happy and even made an honest popslide app review. That is why I'm glad to share with you an android application that let's you earn points convertible to cellphone load :) God bless! Btw, I wrote an honest review about it on my blog. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So, in November 2014, I changed my Sun Profile from Sun Call&Text Unlimited 350 to Sun Trinet 350 effective Dec 9, 2014.
    It was processed by a male staff (probably new at the job 'coz he kept on asking another staff about forms to be filled out) at Sun Cellular Sm City Manila
    On January 9, 2015, my monthly service fee of 312.50 got doubled. Funny, because I did the same thing with my other Sun account with no glitches.
    I called through Sun Hotline NUMEROUS times on different occasions, patiently waiting for feedback. I understand that disputes are given ample time to be investigated and acted upon.
    On February 9, 2015, the issue of double charging still exists, without resolution yet from the first issue.
    On March 9, 2015, good f*cking news. 312.50 TIMES TWO IS STILL CLEARLY THERE. *insert more expletives here*
    Like, what's so wrong with you Sun Cellular people? Nagkulang ba ako sa pagtawag sa Hotline at pag take note ng sandamakmak na reference number? Hindi pa ba sapat na pumunta sa business center ulit to get the changes reverted? Nagkulang ba ko sa pagsulat sa http://suncellular.com.ph/support/feedback na hindi naman gumagana yung SUBMIT button? Nagkulang ba ako sa pag email, sa pag msg sa FB, sa pag DM sa Twitter? Labyu guys, but I need to voice out the following:
    1. ALL staff in the SUN Business Center should have formal training before handling customer forms. Or at least a supervisor should first review it before proceeding. Yes, walang perpekto, pero kasi, trabaho yun -- may repercussions pag nagkamali.
    So PROPER ATTENTION to details is REQUIRED. Tingnan ulit ang mga checkboxes na dapat checked or unchecked!!!! I-deactivate and kailangang i-deactivate!!!!! I-monitor muna ang mga baguhang empleyado!!!
    2. Sun Hotline Representatives should be CALIBRATED as to the accuracy of information they provide. They will say,
    "After 3-5 business days, this will have a feedback"
    *6 business days came*
    "No feedback yet from the concerned group, but I'll make a report, you will get a feedback within 24 hours"
    *krook krook krook, 2 days came*
    "I apologize, no feedback yet, I'll make a report again, No, my supervisor is engaged in a call you can't talk with him"
    *repeat similar scenario 2-3 times a week*
    "Your reversal should show on your next bill"
    *still no reversal on the next bill* DAFUQ.
    DO NOT PROVIDE INACCURATE DETAILS JUST TO PACIFY THE CALLER. If it actually takes 1-2 billing cycles for the adjustments to show, tell them, mas maiintindihan yan kesa umasa sa maling impormasyon. Mag-refresher course kayo please. Kahit quick 15 minute meeting lang for calibration para pare-parehas ang sinasabi ng mga ahente nyo.
    Sun Cellular "THE GOOD CHOICE" BA KAMO?
    SAAN BANDA??? frown emoticon
    PS. Hindi ko po alam magkano ang sweldo ng mga nagtatrabaho sa Sun, pero gawin na lang po natin nang maayos ang trabaho natin para wala nang hassle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Had the same experience with annoying customer service sa give-a-load. Di nakalagay kung kelan yung expiration tapos di nila binalik yung 250php ko. Ano ba yan! Inaassume ng sun na alam ng customer nila expiration kahit di sila nagpapadala ng message. It was very annoying kasi yung sinasabi ng customer service is 15 days yung expiration, pero the previous customer service na kinomplainan ko nagsabi na di pwedeng icomplain hanggat di makarating yung bill. Edi syempre, ako assume din ako na lagpas 15 days yung load kasi 250php!

      Yes, marami silang kapalpakan. Swerte lang talaga ng iba na di pa minalas sa kanila. Anyway, ipunta nyo na po yan kung saan nyo prinocess yung pagchange ng account nyo. Tapos hanap po kayo ng supervisor. Ipadig up nyo po yung sinignan nyo at dun po kayo magcontest. Kasi pagtatawag lang, wala rin minsan napapala eh.

      Grabe naman yan, Hopefully pag napuntahan nyo na dun sa kung saan nyo prinocess maactionan na kagad. Malamang pinatong nila yung isang 350 sa existing mong plan rather than change it entirely.

      Delete
    2. Ang hirap kasi sa Sun, pinanghahawakan nila, nakapirma ka na! Wala ka nang habol, pero sila mahahabol ka kung i-express mo ang disappointment mo sa pamamagitan ng hindi pagbabayad...

      In my case, I paid a 1200 pesos advance for a plan 600 (Alcatel Glory N something and a 7" Alcatel tablet). For the first 20 days, hindi ko magamit yung cp dahil roaming daw, at mas mahal ang bayad pag roaming, hindi integrated sa plan 600. 8 months passed, the tablet broke down when it was just sitting dormant in my drawer.

      Ngayon tuwang tuwa ako kasi last billing period na sa sun plan 600 ko. Matatapos na rin kalbaryo ko. Inooperan nila ako last month ng wifi, to be delivered on my doorstep, tinanggihan ko kasi mahina ang signal sa Bulacan. 21 MBPS yung Alcatel One Touch Pocket Wi-Fi ko pero hindi ko magamit sa Bulacan saka sa Mindanao. Sa Metro Manila nakakasagap ng signal, pero pag wala ang araw (umuulan) wala ring signal ang Sun! Pero ang billing sa akin, laging P600, kung minsan lampas pa!

      Delete
  4. THE BLOG " 3. Sun Cellular's Loyalty Perks. One of the things I hate about renewing a contract is having to visit Sun Shops over and over again because they don't have the unit you want. Fortunately, if you belong in Sun's Loyalty, customers get to have their new Sun Cellular phone delivered at their doorstep." - is this REAL? - for the owner of this blog can be , BUT UNFORTUNATE FOR ME !!! (I don't own any blogging site ) one month passed na sa holding period and two calls within this month and their sales agent said "WALA PO NAMAN KAMING NAGING PROBLEMA PAGDATING SA LOYALTY PROGRAM NAMIN" and "KAMI NA LANG PO ANG TATAWAG FOR FOLLOW UP NG MOBILE PHONE PO", still my phone is NOT BEEN DELIVER !!! - TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY KAYO (SUN CELLULAR), BUT YOU DO NOT - I REPEAT - YOU DO NOT COMMUNICATE WELL SA MGA CLIENTS/CUSTOMER NINYO !!! MEMBER PA NG LOYALTY PROGRAM ANG BINIGYAN NG GANITONG PROBLEMA.. KAKAINIS TALAGA --- SA MGA CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS AT SUPERVISORS AND EVEN THE MANAGERS NINYO PLEASE STOP PUSHING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES NA HINDI NINYO ALAM ANG ACTUAL ACCOUNTS/PHYSICAL NUMBERS NG AVAILABLE NA UNITS !!! SA INTER-DEPARTMENT PALANG NINYO PALPAK NA KYO NANDAMAY PA KYO NG EXTERNAL CUSTOMER.... PLEASE THIS COMPANY SHOULD ABIDE BY YOUR BUSINESS LINE i.e. TELECOMMUNICTION - UNFORTUNATELY YOU DON'T !! INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER !!! YOU (SUN CELLULAR) DO NOT COMMUNICATE WELL - EVEN TO US MEMBER OF THE LOYALTY PROGRAM, YOU FAIL TO DELIVER WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN...

    HOPE THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THIS COMPANY SEE THESE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE IMMEDIATELY - AS IN TRANSPARENT AND ACTUAL ACHIEVABLE TIME FRAME WITHOUT HAVING US, YOUR EXTERNAL CLIENTS TO SUFFER EVEN MORE...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is sad... Ano po yung phone na nirequest nyo? When I wrote this blog, I've already gone to Cubao and SM Marikina for the Nokia Asha 501. Wala talaga silang available na unit sa mga malls dahil nauubos kagad. So yung ginawa namin was call Sun and nadeliver naman nila within 3 days yung Asha 501 para sa plan 999.

      Sadly, I can attest to the lack of knowledge sa products and promos nila. Once I had to complain about the CSR kasi parang wala syang nalalaman tungkol sa latest promo nila.

      Anyway, I do hope na makuha mo yung phone na gusto nyo... and hopefully someone will take action about their shortcomings... I can pretty much say though, that my Sun experience is far better than my sister's experience with Globe's Postpaid plans.

      Thank you for sharing your experience.

      Delete
  5. Im a sun postpaid subscriber and with lock in period until jul 2016. But Im planning to renew and avail of the free phone loyalty incentive. Can you guys share your idea of the possible free phones they give out for plan 450? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. Im leaving Sun why?
    My sunplan is 699
    And iv'e been a sun user since 2010
    My bill is always above my plan, i have 900 up to 1,300php per month
    Its bcoz of waste calls " when u call they cant hear you and what u do is call again and still cant hear you" so thats the waste of my money.
    They have slow internet.
    They have low signal.
    When i call i always hear my self instead the one that im calling off.
    The CS is making me wait for like 20-30mins.
    And the phone that comes with the bundle of my Plan is so cheap fucking O+.

    Goodbye SUN!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Im leaving Sun why?
    My sunplan is 699
    And iv'e been a sun user since 2010
    My bill is always above my plan, i have 900 up to 1,300php per month
    Its bcoz of waste calls " when u call they cant hear you and what u do is call again and still cant hear you" so thats the waste of my money.
    They have slow internet.
    They have low signal.
    When i call i always hear my self instead the one that im calling off.
    The CS is making me wait for like 20-30mins.
    And the phone that comes with the bundle of my Plan is so cheap fucking O+.

    Goodbye SUN!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, I'll be terminating my Plan w/ sun. I have been a subscriber for more than 6 years now. Recently I was charged w/ excess data usage for 3X my usual billing for the reason that they (So supposedly its their lapses)did not sent me any notification (usually 80% or 100% of the 20-hour data consumed) for their limited speed, fluctuating 20-hour data connection bundled w/ the s*#pid plan. Whereas for the past 8+ months I did consistently received. I felt that I was trapped to overly/forcibly consume the 20-hour (since there really is no way for any user to monitor the time consumed on data because of the irritating fluctuations, as everyone here experience) data connection...I mean, what the hell happened, sun?? After consistently sending me notifications for the past months... So I called their hotline for 3-separately referenced incident reports, unfortunately same trash "resolutions" were provided and they don't want to accept the fact that they did have technical lapses. I was so disappointed.

      FYI
      Plan: Sun P499 w/ UCT sun-sun + 20-hrs mobile data.

      Anybody here experienced terminating their plans? As I was advised by their CSR you may opt to pre-terminate your plan as long as you pay this pre-termination fee. I would like to know if how much this is, please? TIA

      Delete
    2. as far as i know 10K po... yan po yung sinabi nang CS saken

      Delete
  8. U should also put up, "What I like and hate ( more on hate) about being Sun PREPAID subscriber

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.